By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Gastroenterology Week -- Investigators publish new report on Pediatrics. According to news reporting from Amsterdam, Netherlands, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, "Coeliac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated systemic condition elicited by gluten and related prolamines in genetically predisposed individuals and characterised by gluten-induced symptoms and signs, specific antibodies, a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type and enteropathy. The risk of coeliac disease is increased in first-degree relatives, certain syndromes including Down syndrome and autoimmune disorders."

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from VU University Medical Center, "It is thought to occur in 1 in 100-200 individuals, but still only one in four cases is diagnosed. Small-bowel biopsy is no longer deemed necessary in a subgroup of patients, i.e. when all of the following are present: typical symptoms or signs, high titres of and transglutaminase antibodies, endomysial antibodies, and HLA-type DQ2 or DQ8. In all other cases, small-bowel biopsy remains mandatory for a correct diagnosis. Therapy consists of a strictly gluten-free diet. This should result in complete disappearance of symptoms and of serological markers. Adequate follow-up is considered essential."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "Although small-bowel biopsy may be omitted in a minority of patients, small-bowel biopsy is essential for a correct diagnosis of CD in all other cases. Diagnostic work-up should be completed before treatment with gluten-free diet instituted."

For more information on this research see: Clinical practice : coeliac disease. European Journal of Pediatrics, 2012;171(7):1011-21. European Journal of Pediatrics can be contacted at: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA. (Springer - www.springer.com; European Journal of Pediatrics - www.springerlink.com/content/0340-6199/)